Reece James starts for Chelsea this afternoon as Graham Potter’s side resumes the Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth.
The Blues went into the World Cup break in poor form. Yet the six-week break has given Potter an opportunity to reassess and re-evaluate. The hope is that Chelsea will be much improved during the second half of the season.
With both Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga fit, there was a difficult decision for Potter and his staff to make as to who started in goal for the Blues. They have settled upon Kepa, who is likely to remain first choice going forward this term.
READ MORE: Chelsea vs Bournemouth LIVE: Kick-off time, confirmed team news, goal and score updates
There is a welcome return to the starting XI for James, who features for the first time since hobbling off in San Siro against AC Milan in October. The England international will line up on the right of a back four, although isn’t expected to complete 90 minutes.
Somewhat surprisingly, there is no place for Trevoh Chalobah in the centre of defence. Potter has opted to go with the experienced duo of Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly, both of whom were in action at the World Cup.
At left-back, with Ben Chilwell not yet available as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, Marc Cucurella starts. It is a rare outing in the Spaniard’s natural role since his arrival from Brighton in the summer.
Midfield remains a problem position for the Blues with N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek absent due to injury and Mateo Kovacic yet to return to training after his exploits with Croatia at the World Cup. However, the decision has been taken to go with the trio of Jorginho, Denis Zakaria, and Mason Mount.
Raheem Sterling is included in the Chelsea frontline; the England international is expected to be deployed off the right flank. On the opposite wing is USA star Christian Pulisic while Kai Havertz, who scored a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford last week, spearheads the attack.
Chelsea: Kepa; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho, Zakaria, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Pulisic
Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Humphreys, Chukwuemeka, Gallagher, Hall, Hutchinson, Aubameyang
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